Youth clubs to get government funding boost

South Staffordshire Council's cabinet approved the funding bids at its first meeting of the year

Youth clubs that offer space for young people to relax are set to receive a boost from government funding pots.

The Chill Out Clubs in Huntington, Penkridge, Codsall and Cheslyn Hay in Staffordshire are led by youth workers and provide activities and space for young people in the areas to discuss concerns.

The sites will be given £14,700 from South Staffordshire Council's £3.82m allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which needs to be spent by the end of March.

The authority's cabinet approved the funding bids at its first meeting in January.

More than £43,000 from the fund will be used to refurbish changing rooms and install a new swimming pool hoist at Wombourne Leisure Centre.

The council has also received £489,384 in Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF), which is a separate capital pot for funding towards community, small business growth or farm diversification.

Kinver Edge Farm Shop, which has a play area for children, is set to use £12,466 from the REPF to install accessible toilet blocks to provide wheelchair and pushchair access.

At the latest meeting on Tuesday, cabinet members were also asked to approve funding for further projects such as Bilbrook Allotments, which is seeking £17,375 to boost accessibility for disabled residents.

Wolverhampton Chiropractic Clinic has also requested £36,055 towards improving safety and security arrangements at the back of its building.